Office Angels research: Office managers see 3.6% salary growth

Officer managers were one of the few roles to record positive annual salary growth last month, up 3.6%.

The figures, from the Office Angels salary watch report by Office Angels and Mysalarychecker.com, found the average salary for an office manager in July was £29,448, while receptionists recorded the lowest average salary at £17,067, down almost 2% on the previous year.

In the East Midlands, receptionists have had the biggest salary growth in July, making their average salary now £14,977. The region also saw an upsurge in average salaries across all admin and non-professional services roles, aside from retail.

A similar pattern has been reflected in the temporary market, with office managers recording the highest hourly rate (£17) and receptionists recording the lowest (£7).

David Clubb, managing director of Office Angels, said: “Overall, it has been a positive year for those in secretarial and office support roles, with tentative salary growth recorded in the permanent market. However, it is a rather mixed picture when looking at roles across the board.

“While some roles have suffered in terms of the salaries that are now being achieved, it is interesting to see that office mangers have come out on top, with average salaries now pushing the £30,000 barrier.

“The temporary market has remained relatively stable over the last year, as cautious employers tap into the potential of the flexible workforce to help them negotiate this uncertain period, demonstrating just what a valuable contribution temporary workers can make to the labour market, as we navigate our way out of recession.”